Switch for electric lights.



SWITCH FDR ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

(Application led Oct. l1. 1900.)

(No Model.)

luga G UNTTED STATES PATENT Trice.'

HERMAN HORN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE HORN du BRANNEN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

srncrrrcarlolv forming para @Letters Paten-t No. 678,180, dated July e, 190,1.

Application tiled October 11, 1900i Serial Nth 32|71- (N0 modem T0 @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that( I, HERMAN HORN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania', have invented a new and useful Improvement in Switches for Electric Lights, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of animproved switch for an electric light whereby several lights may be successively turned on, the same being adapted to be accomplished by a single switch, and also permitting all ot' the lights to be extinguished, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure l represents a plan view of an electric switch embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section of a portion on line .fr Fig. l. Fig. et represents a plan View of one of the disks employed. Fig. 5 represents a section of a portion on line y y, Fig. l. Fig. 6 represents a section on line z a', Fig. l.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the gures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates an electric switch, and B a cross-bar thereon, the same supporting the frame C, to which is rigidly secured a stationary plate or head D, of suitable non-conducting material. In the periphery of said plate are recesses E, in which are fitted the vertical limbs of the elbowpieces G, Vwhich are provided with the binding-screws H. rPhe horizontal limbs of said pieces are beneath said head D and clamp the fingers J, of suitable conductive material, said fingers being somewhat elastic in nature and curved or deiiected on their lower portions, so that their edges will not catch as the switch is operated. Depending from the head D is the main circuit-finger K,.the same being secured to said head by means of the plate L, the latter being provided with a bindingpost M,'whose inner end enters the recess N in said head D.

P designates anY arbor whichisjournaled in the cross-barB and is provided with a key Q for operating purposes, said arm having an angular portion R, which enters an angular opening in the rotary head S, whereby the latter is adapted to rotate with said arbor.` On the upper face of said head S are a contactplate T,the segmental ratchet U,which is con- `nected with the inner side of said plate, and

to engage with said ratchet U, while the main nger K engages at a certain time with said exposed portion and at another time with the teeth of said ratchets.

Suitable wires or conductors are attached to the binding-posts H, and it will be seen that when the fingers J and K are in direct contact with the head S the circuit is broken and there would be no light; but when the key Q is properly turned the iinger K contacts with the rst tooth of the ratchet W, at which time the first finger J will be in engagement with the. contact-plate T, and thus one light willbe turned on. By further rotation of the key the second finger J will contact with the plate T, and thus the second light will be turned on, and as the key is further rotated the other fingers J will be successively brought into contact with the plate T, the finger K remaining meanwhile in contact with the teeth of the ratc'hets U W and clicking therewith, and thus the several lights, in accordance with the number of lingers J, will be turned on. When the key is further rotated, the lingers J and'K leave'their metallic contacts and engage directly with the ex posed face of the head S, whereby the circuit will be broken and all of the lights extinguished. -It will be noticed that as fingers J are connected with the stationary head D they are accordingly non-rotatable.

1t will be apparent that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art which will come within the scope of my invention, and I do not therefore desire to be limited in every instancel tothe exact construction I have herein shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In an electric switch, a rotatable head provided with a contact-plate and a ratchet IOO thereon, and-having a partly-exposed surface, said ratchet being a continuity of said plate, both ratchet and plate partly occupying portions of the face of said head.

2. An electric switch consisting of a stationary head having a main contact-finger and auxiliary fingers thereon, said main and auxiliary fingers being in different circles, and a rotatable head having a contact-plate and a segmental ratchet forming a continuityl of said plate, both plate and ratchet partly occupying the saine face of said head, leaving the remaining portion of said face exposed, whereby said main contact-finger niay engage said ratchet and the auxiliary contact-pieces successively engage with said plate, and both the main contact and auxiliary 'fingers inay engage with the exposed face of said head.

crease lVitnesses:

.lor-IN A. WIEDERSHEIM, WM. GANER WIEDERSHEIM. 

